victimize
Make someone suffer
To victimize someone is to single them out for cruel, unfair, or harmful treatment.
The word implies a power imbalance—someone stronger or in authority targets someone weaker or more vulnerable.
The scam artists victimized elderly residents by posing as utility workers.
Victimize can also mean to make someone into a victim of circumstance or crime: Communities victimized by the flooding struggled to rebuild.
Habitual intimidator
- harassPersistently torment someone
- assaultViolent offensive act
- tormentSevere prolonged suffering
- mistreatTo harm or neglect
persecute · oppress · brutalize · molest · torture · traumatize · beat · harm
Unfairly blamed person
- single outSelect for special attention
- markVisible impression or sign
- blameAssign responsibility for wrongdoing
- frameSupporting outer structure
persecute · discriminate · profile · stereotype · marginalize · ostracize · isolate · exclude
Treat unequally based on category
- oppressUnjustly burden or dominate
- wrongContrary to fact
- disenfranchiseRevoke civic participation rights
- marginalizeTreat as insignificant
exploit · bias · prejudice · inequity · disparity · unfairness · violation · grievance
bully
Habitual intimidator
mistreat · persecute · oppress · brutalize · molest · torture · traumatize · beat · harm · injure
scapegoat
Unfairly blamed person
- single outSelect for special attention
- markVisible impression or sign
- blameAssign responsibility for wrongdoing
frame · persecute · discriminate · profile · stereotype · marginalize · ostracize · isolate · exclude · demonize
discriminate
Treat unequally based on category
- oppressUnjustly burden or dominate
- wrongContrary to fact
- disenfranchiseRevoke civic participation rights
marginalize · exploit · bias · prejudice · inequity · disparity · unfairness · violation · grievance · malpractice
manipulate
Control through clever influence
- take advantage ofUse for one's benefit
- usePut into service
- coerceObtain by intimidation
extort · overwork · underpay · traffic · enslave · prey upon · leverage · siphon · extract · gaslight
defraud
Obtain through deceit
trick · deceive · cheat · hoax · phish · catfish · bamboozle · hoodwink · bilk · grift
victimized, victimizer, victimization, victimised, victimizing, victimizes, victimise, victimising, victimises